VPN Unlimited Speed: Does a VPN Slow Down Your Internet Connection?

In present-day reality, using a VPN application is a must for anyone who wants to keep their data safe and enjoy unrestricted internet access. Your VPN speed directly depends on your internet speed and if this speed is mediocre, the VPN app can’t be faster. However, since VPN encrypts your traffic, using such a service affects your connection speed in any case. 

A slight speed loss is a small price to pay for your online security and data privacy. The causes of speed issues can be different and mainly depend on various factors like the distance from your current location to a VPN server and the server’s workload. If you feel uncomfortable with your VPN connection speed, keep reading to learn how to make VPN faster.

Does VPN Slow Down Your WiFi / Internet Speed

A VPN will inevitably slow down your internet speed at least a little. This happens due to how the VPN technology operates - it adds a few extra steps to the path that your web traffic has to travel. Three additional VPN steps that slow down your connection the most are:

  • Connection to a remote VPN server
  • VPN server workload
  • Data encryption

 

Luckily, premium VPN services like VPN Unlimited can significantly mitigate the negative impact on your connection speed. And in certain edge cases, such a VPN can even make your internet faster!

What else affects your internet speed

The main factor that controls your connection speed is your ISP, a.k.a. Internet Service Provider. Depending on your plan’s Internet bandwidth, data limits, and connection type, you will get widely varying performance. 

Another thing that shapes your internet speed is how you’re using your plan’s bandwidth. It is shared across all your running applications, and all devices connected to the network. So the more apps are downloading something from the internet and the more devices are connected to your WiFi, the slower your internet becomes. Sometimes all it takes is a single high-speed torrenting app to significantly slow down everything else on the network. 

Finally, your modem or router is also an important determinant. If the hardware or its drivers are outdated, it may not be able to keep up and deliver the internet speed that your ISP (internet provider)plan provides. Also, the WiFi router’s location in the home can make all the difference - if it’s far from your devices, they won’t get as strong a signal.

Why Your VPN Connection Can Be Slow

Distance between you and the VPN server

The farther the selected VPN server is from your current geographical position, the slower the VPN speed is.

VPN server workload

The more people are connected to your VPN server, the more the workload increases, and the slower the VPN speed is.

Encryption power of the VPN protocol

The stronger the encryption protocol is that your VPN uses to secure your data, the slower the VPN speed is.

VPN Unlimited - one of the fastest VPNs out there!

What is a Good VPN Connection Speed

In present-day reality, the VPN connection speed of 20 Mbps or more is considered to be normal. This speed is enough for everyday tasks like online surfing, video streaming, downloading files, and other online activities. You can run a speed test of your VPN server speed with lots of popular speed test services in real-time.

Speed Tests of Different VPN Protocols in VPN Unlimited

When using a Virtual Private Network (VPN), it's common to experience a reduction in internet connection speed. And depending on the protocol you choose, your connection speed can be impacted differently. For instance, OpenVPN, a widely used protocol known for its strong security, can be slower compared to other protocols like WireGuard or IKEv2. Check out a brief comparison of speed tests with different protocols in VPN Unlimited.

Connection with disabled VPN service

When your VPN service is disabled, your internet connection operates without any encryption or tunneling through a VPN server. Your data is transmitted directly through your Internet Service Provider (ISP). While this allows for fast connection speeds, it also means that your online activities are vulnerable, and susceptible to surveillance, data tracking, and potential security risks.  

Connection with WireGuard Protocol

WireGuard is a modern and lightweight VPN protocol known for its impressive speed and security. Its streamlined design enables faster connections, making it an excellent choice for users seeking optimal performance. WireGuard utilizes advanced encryption algorithms while minimizing network overhead, resulting in reduced latency and faster data transmission.

Connection with OpenVPN Protocol

OpenVPN is a widely used and highly secure VPN protocol. While it may not be the fastest option available, it offers strong encryption and adaptable configuration options. OpenVPN ensures data confidentiality and integrity. However, due to its encryption overhead and encapsulation of data packets, OpenVPN connections may be slower compared to more lightweight protocols.  

Connection with IKEv2 Protocol

IKEv2 (Internet Key Exchange version 2) is a VPN protocol that combines security and speed. It offers fast connection establishment through its efficient handshake process. IKEv2 supports robust encryption algorithms, providing strong security for data transmission. This protocol is particularly advantageous for mobile devices as it handles network transitions seamlessly, allowing users to switch between Wi-Fi and cellular networks without interrupting the VPN connection. 

Connection with KeepSolid Wise TLS Protocol

KeepSolid Wise TLS is a proprietary VPN protocol designed by KeepSolid. It allows users to get past any VPN blocks and use VPN Unlimited even when it would normally be blocked in your office or hotel network. Due to TCP, UDP, and TLS protocols, implemented in KeepSolid Wise, our stealth technology is extremely difficult to detect, allowing you to reliably bypass VPN blocks. 

How to Speed Up VPN Connection

Change VPN server location

To do so, go to the Servers tab and select the VPN server that is located as close as possible to your current location. You can also run the ping test to estimate the network conditions and the distance between your location and our servers or connect to the Optimal server for improved VPN speeds.

Change VPN server location
Change VPN protocol

Unfortunately, some networks can restrict the VPN speeds of the selected VPN protocol or some encryption protocols can be too powerful for your internet speed. Try to change VPN protocol via Menu > Settings > Protocols to get the best Internet bandwidth and performance.

Change VPN protocol
Connect to the VPN server that suits your VPN needs

VPN Unlimited team strives to provide you with a variety of premium features. That’s why we’ve implemented special server tabs for torrenting and streaming. Go to the Servers tab > select Torrent or Streaming > connect to the needed server to optimize your VPN speed for your specific needs, whether it's gaming, sites, websites, or improving your Wi-Fi connection.

Connect to the VPN server
Get a personal VPN server

Your personal VPN server will offer you dedicated resources and ensure your online protection, allowing you to enjoy optimal Internet speeds without being affected by VPN server workload or congestion. This exclusive offer provides you with a unique opportunity to enhance your network connectivity and experience the utmost in quality VPN service. Don't miss out on this special promotion to maximize your online security and privacy.

Check how can you increase your VPN speed with our Personal VPN server.

Get a personal VPN server

FAQ About VPN and Internet Speed

How much does VPN slow down the internet?

Can VPN connection increase internet speed?

Should I use a VPN on my home WiFi?

Ready to give it a try?

Make your browsing experience more efficient and secure with VPN Unlimited. Download it right now and get a 7-day free trial or go even further and get our VPN Lifetime Deal!